I was born here but was not considered an Australian- nor were my parents or grandparents and their grandparents.

o Were we ever asked if we wanted to be Australian? No
o Do I consider myself an Australian now? No
o Would I pass this silly test? Yes.
o Would passing this silly test make me feel Australian? No
o What did the 67 referendum do for me? Absolutely Nothing

I consider myself very Australian... both sides of my family came out in 1855 as paying passengers.

I think this test is the silliest notion of all. What? answering a few questions about us will make you be one of us and forget any annoyances you harbour towards us... Garbage!

The numbnuts who believe in this stuff shouldn't be allowed to vote - on medical grounds they are crazy!.. Ha!

How quickly we forget how poorly Aussies treated the immigrants that came out in earlier times. Yep we bullied them and called them names... and when they formed communities we accused them of non-assimilation. Gee we Aussies sure lead by example.

I congratulate and thank all the people who have come to make this country your home. Thankyou for allowing me to share and grow from the wonderful cultures that you come from and have brought with you.

No need to fill out any test with me... I will show you respect and I'm guessing I'll probably get it back from you. Well that's been my experience thus far.

From then on we are fellow Australians and I will be proud to call you one! Welcome!

The Test.... simply tests a bit of general knowledge...

It does nothing ..zero.. to ensure acceptable attitudes and values.

Of course Kevin Andrews' test is little more than a dog-whistle designed to appeal electorally to the xenophobes. However, with a bit of work it could be made into a useful instrument to increase the quality of Australian civic life.

This would involve a more general application of the test - to the entire adult population of Australia - as a prerequisite to being allowed to vote.

In particular, those who can't spell properly or use pronouns correctly should be disenfranchised :)

CJ

"... as a prerequisite to being allowed to vote."

I agree with you there - this I think is the case in the US. A bit of OZ history and general knowledge couldn't hurt anybody…especially when we are obligated to vote.

CJ and Coach,

I think you are on to something there.

A small test should be applied to 18 year olds as procedural to being able to be allowed to vote.

Q. 1.

Which of the following is a rodent?

a)Mickey Mouse
b)Hamster
c)Guinea pig
d)John Howard
e)All of the above